Dalton Legal Issues Blog

Some motor vehicle crashes result in a victim suffering from a spinal cord injury, which is a life-changing experience. Impacts depend on the severity and location. Areas of the body that are affected by the injury are always lower than the location of the damage to the spine. More of the body is impacted when it occurs closer to the neck than what happens if it is nearer to the tailbone.

Learning that you do have something wrong with your spinal cord can conjure images of life in a severely limited state. This isn't always the case. Only some cases involve paralysis, but this doesn't mean that other types of effects aren't just as hard to cope with.

Women in Georgia who are considering breast implants, or have had them in the past, should pay attention to the recent news that studies have linked a particular brand of textured breast implants to a rare form of cancer. Due to the evidence that appears to link the specific product to patient harm, the Food and Drug Administration requested that the manufacturer of the implants recall them. Allergan, the company responsible for the manufacture of the implants, complied with this request last week, issuing a statement saying that no further distribution or sale of the implants in question will take place. 

At issue are Allergan's textured breast implants sold under the brand name BIOCELL. Textured implant use in the United States is less common than in Asia or Europe, and it is unclear at this time to what extent, if any, the texturing contributes to increased cancer risk. Nevertheless, the FDA reports that the risk of developing a particular type of anaplastic large cell lymphoma associated with breast implants is six times greater in patients with Allergan BIOCELL implants than with textured implants from any other manufacturer. 

People in Georgia know that when they are granted a driver's license, they are given not only a privilege but a responsibility. An essential part of that responsibility is to always operate their vehicles safely and in accordance with the law. The safety of themselves, of any passengers they may have and of other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists all depend upon this. Unfortunately, there are many people who allow themselves to speed, be distracted while driving, drive while drunk or engage in other risky behaviors when behind the wheel.

Today, seven people are dead and three more are hurt after an accident that occurred after the driver of a sport utility vehicle crossed over onto the other side of a busy freeway and stuck another vehicle head-on. According to a report by ABC News, it is not yet known what precipitated the SUV's move onto the wrong side of the freeway. The SUV's collision with a van set off a chain reaction that included multiple vehicles.

You probably already know that adoption is a method of adding to your family by providing a safe and nurturing home to a child in need, but what does it mean from a legal standpoint? In the eyes of Georgia state law, any children adopted into your family gain the same rights and legal standing that they would have if they had been born into it.

The government of the State of Georgia details a seven-step process involved in adopting a child. Your individual process may vary slightly depending on your particular circumstances, but you can generally expect the adoption process to progress in the following manner.